Specifications for the second generation of the digital video broadcasting-return channel satellite (DVB-RCS) standard have been approved and published under the name RCS2. A wide panel of experts participated in this two-year effort, one of the largest efforts ever undertaken in satellite communications standardisation.

Space-based applications do assist in daily life, and ESA is open to all ideas from its Member States to make this happen. This was the clear message sent to the participants of the ARTES Applications workshop held recently at ESA´s ESTEC facility in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

A flawless launch has delivered Hylas-1, ESA´s first public-private partnership in a full satellite system, into space. The satellite was released on 26 November into its transfer orbit after a textbook launch by an Ariane 5 vehicle from Europe´s Spaceport in French Guiana.